17 comments:

It is with intent of this letter to document and report the unethical business practices of World Gymn Fitness Center, Palm Desert, California. I am a disabled veteran and hope to alert all veterans and non veterans alike to the following issue.On 3 March 2013, I approached the front desk employee, Brian Gosselin, to inquire about a possible membership, free trials etc. During our conversation, I mentioned that I may be travelling alot during the summer and possibly relocating. After a few minutes and more than one attempt to leave, he convinced me to try a ONE month membership/trial. I was very cautious and skeptical about this but he insisted all my money/dues would be credited back to my credit card account after the 30 days if I was not satisfied and/or unable to maintain a membership. It was also mentioned that my wife was out of the country until June 2013 and that she would not be participating until the summer, if we decided to stay and maintain membership AND if I was satisfied after the 30 days.At no time was there any mention that I had to sign into their facility a minimum of three times per week in order to obtain a refund. It was mentioned that I had to set up and attend an appointment with a fitness trainer which I did later that same week.It was not until the second week that I was made aware of the three time per week attendance rule and again there was no mention that this would have an impact on retrieving my funds.During the third week, I told the front desk staff that I wanted out of any membership due to my future travel plans. More than once it was attempted with personnel at the front desk and each time they insisted I wait the full 30 days and talk to some manager. I felt this was ridiculous and immediately contacted USAA credit card services to inquire whether it would be possible to block World Gymn from debiting another month of charge if so were attempted. USAA reported this could not be done and sure enough $29.99 was deducted on 3 April 2013. Although I believe I attended the facility around 12 times during the 30 day trial, there may have been a time or two where signing "the roster" was forgotten. Regardless, this should not have been an issue and would not have been an issue if I were made aware of the consequences during the initial meeting.On 11 April 2013 I finally had a meeting with some manager to discuss membership/non membership retrieving my funds etc.I reported that I could not and did not want membership and requested all my funds to be credited back to my account ($84.98). He kept talking over me insisting the 30 day deal was void since I did not sign into their facility a minimum of three times a week. I mentioned all my concerns that were stated above but he went on to say I now have a 1 year membership and it would cost me an additional $100.00 to get out of this. I was completly shocked at what this person was telling me. I reported never signing up for a membership of 1 year and that I may be willing to pay $29.99 for one month allegedly "free" trial period. The manager again insisted this is not up for discussion since it was "void". At which point further discussion was terminated.This kind of unethical practice and behavior disgusts me so much that I am willing to devote a website exposing this kind of scam nation wide in order to warn all those who are thinking about World Gymn. We are requesting:1. All funds be credited back to my account2. Penalties be imposed on management of World Gymn3. Litigation to have these penalties imposed and for World Gymn to cease questionable and unethical practices.My first step, however, is contacting YOU and hope you address this issue from your perspective so we may avoid further litigation and possibly media exposure.Please contact me ar 585-880-4548 if any questions.

Michael, I'm very sorry this happened to you, and since I had my incident below with our being banned from the gym due to my injury, and my husband's reaction, dated, this same day as this one.You can see , I have had my problems with Worlds gym as well, although it was not a financial issue, rather an issue of common respect, which neither my husband or myself received from this company. How dare Worlds gym's corporate offices to allow these franchises to carry their name, and do nothing about their unethical practices. I hope you find enough people to make a difference with some of their practices. They are the worst company I have ever had the misfortune to deal with. misty76024@yahoo.com

The music for Body Step and Body Pump release 90 & 96 is terrible.It's doesn't even sound like music, it's just noise! Please replace your music coordinator with someone who knows music, and how to use music to motivate and encourage class participation. Thank you.

I go to the gym in Delray Beach, Florida and very disappointed. It has no cold water. You have to buy water if you want it cold. It is dirty and some of the equipment is old and needs to be fixed. The women's locker room is always dirty and smells. The weights are geared toward males not females. All the cardio equipment is ok, except there are 9 TV's and they only put on 4 out of 9. What is that about. Very disappointed in this gym. If there was one closer, I would be there. LA Fitness is good compared to this one.

We were members of the Worlds Gym in Cheektowaga,( a suburb of Buffalo) NY area on Dick Rd. The people that worked there as individuals were primarily, tremendously rude on a regular basis, as if we were interfering with their day by asking any questions of them, over going over even five minutes on picking up our child from their daycare facility. My husband tried to complain a couple of times, and right after (about five minutes) I sprained my ankle stepping off the back of one of their treadmills, because their equipment was placed too closely together to step off the sides. The lady manager told me it was my own fault for stepping off incorrectly. No, "are you alrights, or can we get you some ice for your ankle that is already swelling to twice its size". Their response was you are both banned from our gym for life. I could not believe this. My husband was upset, and probably spoke in a rather rude manner-not raising his voice mind you, and I said, and did nothing offensive in any way, other than get hurt. These people should not be allowed to own a business of any kind that deals directly with the public, and Worlds Gym as a corporation should be ashamed to let them use their name on their business. Apparently the almighty dollar must be what comes first when you can sustain using this name for your business, when you give such poor customer service. This happened to me about two years ago, and I have told everyone I know, which is plenty to "stay away from Worlds Gym at all costs.

World Gym Tonawanda, NY... I go to the gym very early in the morning, which at this time of the morning the majority of the crowd are elderly. Today while I was there two friends complained about the loud/rap style music - the manager promptly threw them out and told them that are banned from every World Gym. They are not the only individuals who have complained about the music. Everyone feels the same way. The equipment is not maintained/cleaned properly which is unacceptable. Since this is a business and businesses rely on their patrons, we were all in shock at the managers response.

the world gym in greece new york.. plays the same music trax over and over. i complained several times nothing is done.. the music is awful.. same teen music...we are all old people ...im canceling soon as i can

I just contacted the Ukiah, California location to vfy the receiving of a check I mailed them to cancel my sons membership since he is incarcerated, they were very rude and uncooperative adv that I bring this in to them after I adv I am over 2500 miles away... Seriously where is the active listening here and he started he was the manager.I called last month as well so it not that don't know full well of this situation. I need this cancelled and I will not pay another 39.00 monthly fee for this so this needs to be address any help here will be appreciated.

Hamburg, NY My son dies, I stop life, I stop eating for the last few months and have been under a doctors care. World Gym in Hamburg informs me that even with a doctors note the will NOT extend my contract for the 4 months the Dr. pulled me from the gym because legally they don't have to. When I asked about morally and out of human compassion Sheena says she will not give me the owners name and will not help me out at all and said have a nice day. Not once did I hear "I'm sorry for your loss" or let's me if we can work something out. (BTW I wasn't asking for a refund only that they add the 4 months I couldn't go to end of contract)

So what the problem with incompetent employees? My issues isn't the end of the world but why does it feellike I always have to do more to make things work properly . I joined the world gym in Cedar lake Indiana and it should be a one stop to fill out the forms and get bank account numbers but you have to come back tomorrow.... Ok. Almost 2 years later I called this store this morning and asked if I can cancel it today yes be in before 5:00 pm . ... Sir you have to come back tomorrow ... I'm sick of incompetent people , you work at a gym do your job get your shit together. We pay to much for this membership to be inconvenienced . Find another gym . Don't waste your time at the Cedar Lake Indiana facility.

I am/was a member of World Gym located on Sardis Road North in Charlotte, NC. I have been going there regularly since my heart surgery over two years ago. Today, I pulled into the parking lot, which was empty, and thought it must be closed for remodeling. Upon further investigation, there was a sign on the door that the gym has been closed permanently and all of the equipment had already been removed. It was akin to the Cleveland Browns moving to Baltimore in the middle of the night - no notice to the members whatsoever. This is not acceptable business practice and I will go out of my way to lead people away from other World Gym locations in Charlotte. Someone deserves to be fired for making and implementing such a "zero notice" decision.